Turning into the short driveway towards Careys Manor Hotel, an imposing red brick Victorian Manor house with black windows greets you. It could be construed as a little severe were it not for the lush floral scenery growing around Careys Manor and the general prettiness of Brockenhurst. Step inside to a plethora of wood panelling, a striking wood spiral staircase, and a most enticing lemon scent wafting into the reception area from the spa.
Striking wood-panneled staircase
It’s all pretty impressive but what makes Careys Manor a destination hotel is its plush SenSpa and its myriad of hydra facilities. It’s worth noting that Careys Manor is the sister hotel of The Montagu Arms Hotel around 15 minutes drive away and a stay there offers free entry to the SenSpa here.
Who for:
Those looking for a little time out in the beautiful New Forest location with access to a top-notch spa with extensive hydrotherapy and massage treatments.
Accommodation
There are a variety of rooms. Some are reached via their spiral staircase in the manor house. Some have four-poster beds. Other rooms are reached via the extension, and although the communal environment is not as grand as the manor house, the rooms are spacious and surround a secluded garden. All rooms have bathrobes and slippers, smart televisions and tea and coffee facilities.
Mine was a garden room 52 with floor-to-ceiling window doors that open out to the garden – a quiet place to enjoy a cuppa or a tipple.
Facilities
The SenSpa extends over 22,000 square feet. The Thai theme in the reception includes a huge elephant at its heart. On hand are 18 therapists who offer all types of Thai therapies in 16 therapy rooms.
There are plenty of water-based treatments such as jacuzzis, four thermal rooms including a crystal steam room, a herbal sauna, a laconium (a dry sauna) and a tepidarium with heated loungers. There are showers too and these are no ordinary showers; these are a warm tropical shower, an invigorating ice cold shower. The idea is to go from one to the other to encourage a bodily detox. Other treatments include mud and a sensory sound, colour and light immersion.
Those looking for something more strenuous, there is a gym with personal trainers on stand by, and a quiet room to relax.
Food & Drink
There are three restaurants each with their own character. The Cambium offers British cuisine and it’s where breakfast is served. The Thai Zen Garden restaurant is by the spa and offers gourmet Thai cuisine and looks onto a Zen garden and a pleasant stream. The third is a cheeky little number, Le Blaireau, where I dined on French cuisine to the Gaulic sounds such as Edith Piafe singing La Vie en Rose.
How much
Oakwood Superior Room at Careys Manor & SenSpa in Brockenhurst, which costs from £310 per night (two sharing, B&B). Standard double room rates start from £240 (two sharing, B&B). Call 01590 624467 (careysmanor.com).
What’s Nearby
Careys Manor Hotel is surrounded by a lush landscape that should be explored on foot on by bike. Also a few miles away is Beaulieu National Motor Museum which offers a fabulous family day out.
For general information about the New Forest visit www.thenewforest.co.uk.
VERDICT: The major draw to Careys Manor Hotel & SenSpa is its sensational spa facilities. When you need to relax and detox in the countryside, you would do well to do it here.